5 ways to be a missionary this Thanksgiving

November 11, 2019

Thanksgiving often makes us think of family, a turkey dinner with pumpkin pie, and pilgrims — it’s a day centered around giving thanks. Why not incorporate international students into the holiday greetings this year? Here are several ways your collegiate ministry and church can be involved:

Open your heartFirst, pray for God to open your eyes and heart to the needs of students. Consider that many students will be in the United States for the first time. They may be experiencing culture shock, may not have transportation and would enjoy visiting an American home with a new friend. If you have ever been far away from home, you can imagine what they are feeling. Take the first step to welcome them in.

Include them as familyIf you are in an urban area with local students, pitch the idea for parents of American students to consider being a “friendship family” through your local college or university. Many colleges organize programs that connect international students with volunteers from the community. Try signing up through an International Student Office. Usually, these programs ask that hosts meet with the student once or twice a month. This is a great way to connect to international students while also helping your local schools.

You will find sharing a meal with an international student is a fun, educational and meaningful way to be God’s ambassador to the nations.

Host a mealContact your campus’ International Student Office and ask if there are opportunities to host a Thanksgiving or Christmas meal for students who do not plan to travel or are not able to do so. Though many students try to visit Washington, D.C., New York or other famous places across the United States, not all are able to. You could host this meal on Thanksgiving Day, Thanksgiving weekend or even during Christmas break. A Thanksgiving banquet could also be held on campus or at another location the week before the actual holiday — be creative!

Invite them overAsk students if they would be willing to take an international student home for Thanksgiving or any weekend for that matter. This might push some American students out of their comfort zone, but it can be a fantastic way to bless an international student who is always stuck on campus. Being in a home opens the relationship up in new ways for trust, friendship and cultural learning. When I lived in China, I always enjoyed a meal in someone’s home. It allowed me to see things differently than if I just ate in the cafeteria every day.

Find volunteer opportunities around youIf you are new to international student ministry, find out if there is an established ministry in your area where volunteers are needed. Volunteering is not only a great way to help international students, but also a way to bless a ministry that may need American students to round out its mission. You might be able to provide student connections for the ministry, while the ministry provides homes where meals can be cooked and eaten. International student ministry is for the whole church, meaning both student and non-student volunteers are needed.

Regardless of how you mobilize your students, you will find sharing a meal with an international student is a fun, educational and meaningful way to be God’s ambassador to the nations.

Faith at Home works with pastors and church leaders to help equip busy families to be confident disciple-makers in their homes. As churches align their ministries to equip families in discipleship, parents and grandparents will discover new ways to be the primary disciple-makers...

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory...

The death of George Floyd has brought about tension, protests and upheaval in an already volatile period in our nation. In these times, we must take every thought captive and search the Scriptures for discernment, wisdom and guidance. Walter Strickland, associate vice president...

The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered us into a new frontier of pastoral leadership. Over the past few months pastors have learned how to lead churches during a pandemic. Now, pastors are learning how to lead a congregation out of this pandemic. The challenge of this moment should...

Southern Baptist leaders have published a statement grieving the recent death of George Floyd and calling for the end of "racial inequity in the distribution of justice in our country." The statement, co-authored by SBC president J.D. Greear and New Orleans Baptist Theological...

COVID-19 turned our spring upside down and forced us to create new ways to offer discipleship training to our families. Hopefully, parents have embraced the call to disciple their children at home. As summer arrives and teachers no longer send school work home, parents may have...

The coronavirus pandemic has forced us all into new rhythms. Stay-at-home orders for all but the most essential of professionals, caregivers and service providers have dramatically impacted families, businesses and government.Churches are not immune from this impact. Social...

Every month, we spotlight five helpful resources for you as you seek to walk closely with the Lord and make disciples. Many of these resources are created by the staff of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSCNC) to help meet the ministry needs of pastors and lay...